Rebuilding 7mgte-Any suggestions

[SideWinderGX]

Originally Posted by matt7mgte

I am currently pulling the motor out and ordering a new long block for my 7mgte. I want to build it to about 500hp. I plan on upgrading the turbo to get 15lbs of boost and I don't know if I should buy forged pistons and whether or not to use a steel or copper head gasket. I am also adding a downpipe, water injection, and a stahl. Would porting and polishing the head and intake do much for hp to make it worth the extra money. It cost $500 for stage one and $1000 for stage two on the head work but with the other upgrades I dont know what to expect for hp out of it. I was also thinking of buying a cam, there is a stage 2 cam for about $500 and stage 3 for $1000 with new springs and such to handle the rpm. Is it worth it? I don't want to put much more into it because it is already costing about 6k!

The last thing you want to do is cheap out on quality because your too cheap. Do it right the first time.

You don't need to upgrade internals if your only going for 500 ish hp. Make sure to get a good tune out of it, otherwise you'll have problems. Don't bother with cams...a head upgrade definitely wouldnt hurt you though (valves and springs, etc, whatevers in the Ferrea package). Porting is ALWAYS a good thing, but don't port the lower intake manifold too much, it'll mess with the fuel vapor.

Originally Posted by Stupra

Hey. definitely go with a cometic steel gasket and arp head studs or bolts. Note: bolts are much easier because with studs you have to put the head on with cams out because the studs are too close to the cams to start the nuts. Although studs are proven to be better. As far as porting and polishing can't help you there. Cometic is a PROVEN company though. check them out

Eesh. Don't stick to any one company, number one. MHG is definitely the way to do (metal head gasket). Do head studs (again, don't cheap on quality because your lazy), they will hold much better.